Greater Hardeeville Chamber moves forward after DMO decision

Despite the Hardeeville City Council’s decision to change its designated marketing organization, the Greater Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce mission to help the city’s businesses continues.

As the city’s DMO, the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce will work to draw tourism to the city, working closely with the city chamber to promote sponsored events.

“I think it is a great opportunity to work cohesively with the city and also the city chamber to help grow businesses,” said Marty Sauls, president of the Jasper County Chamber of Commerce.

The $15,000 the DMO receives is the accommodations tax charged on local hotels in Hardeeville. The county chamber is responsible for attracting more tourists to stay and dine in Hardeeville when it claims these funds.

Sauls said he plans to hold a community meeting for the businesses, gathering their feedback as to how the money should be spent.

“We want to have as many businesses involved as possible and hear what their needs are in order to drive more traffic, making their businesses more profitable,” he said.

The city chamber plans to continue sponsoring events, such as the South Carolina Georgia Border BBQ Cook-off, the Catfish Festival and Christmas parade. Unlike the county chamber which covers businesses of the region, the city chamber focuses strictly on promoting Hardeeville businesses and events, according to its leaders.

Greater Hardeeville Chamber of Commerce President Matthew Clark said the city chamber will focus on attracting new businesses to join and working to renew contracts. The city chamber is comprised of 32 members, said Ava Comer, city chamber executive director.

“We’re going forward, concentrating on the city’s businesses,” Clark said. “Now that this is settled we won’t have to focus our efforts on spending that money for billboards and other items designated to drawing in tourism.”

Clark said he hopes the county chamber will not only market, but also volunteer to coordinate the city chamber sponsored events.

“I think the reason they [county chamber] are successful is because they have a large group of volunteers,” Clark said.

The DMO selection was discussed during public City Council meetings in December and the decision was made at the Jan. 3 City Council meeting. By a 3-2 vote, City Council voted for Jasper County Chamber of Commerce as the city’s DMO over the city chamber.

Mayor Bronco Bostick cast the tie-breaking vote and said last week he wanted to thank the city’s chamber for its efforts over the past four years. Bostick said he determined his vote after hearing feedback from local businesses.

“The county chamber has a lot of experience in marketing and giving businesses what they need,” Bostick said. “They have a good staff and reputation. They already help some businesses in Hardeeville and I think major results will show in that effort.”

Comer was hired as the city chamber’s executive director in October. She plans to continue to organize the city chamber sponsored events. She said she is in the process of planning the first bass fishing tournament for Hardeeville in March.

“The restrictions of the designated marketing organization revenue are so defined so it really puts more responsibility on the shoulders of Jasper County to market the city,” Comer said. “I am disappointed that the council chose not to support us, but the Hardeeville chamber isn’t going anywhere.”

Mayor Pro Tem Michael Sweeney said he decided to vote in support of the Jasper chamber because it is a well-run organization. Sweeney said his first experience with the city’s chamber left him wary about how things were handled.

“It appeared to me that the businesses in Hardeeville were not members of the city chamber and did not fully support it,” Sweeney said. “There was difficulty having sufficient funds to pay salary and someone left because they were not being paid. As I understand, there is still not the support or interest that is warranted.”

In March 2012, the city chamber regained its nonprofit status after a nearly year without it. The organization lost its nonprofit status like many other nonprofits around the country because it did not fill out the proper tax-exempt forms. The reinstatement nearly a year ago meant the chamber was eligible for accommodations tax money and other revenue, such as a DMO contract.

Former city chamber executive director Renee Pendergrass resigned in May after she didn’t receive a salary for six weeks.

For Councilwoman Sherry Carroll, her support for the city’s chamber continues. Carroll said Tuesday the city chamber has grown its volunteer basis by incorporating Sun City North and is pleased in the direction the chamber is going.

“I voted in support of the city chamber as the DMO, because I thought who better to advertise for the city other than the city’s chamber,” Carroll said. “I will continue to support the city chamber in all their future endeavors.”

While Councilman Scott Ready voted in favor of the Jasper chamber, he also supports the city chamber. The county chamber has been successfully marketing the region and with this additional designation, they will be able to further the marketing efforts, specifically with Hardeeville, Ready said.

“We will be working closely with the Jasper County chamber to ensure the greatest impact will be made with the dollars available,” Ready said. “I am excited about the renewed efforts on the city chamber’s part and will be there to assist however I can.”

City Manager Bob Nanni said the switch of the designated marketing organization will take a minimum of 30 days due to paperwork done at the state level.

Despite not receiving the DMO revenue, the city chamber can request other accommodations tax funds.

“I don’t know their [city’s chamber] long-term plans, but there is other A-TAX funding available at their request,” Nanni said.